Shadhika Newsletter Archive
May 27, 1999
Dear Friends, first things first.
SAVE THIS DATE : SUNDAY, OCT. 10
It will be our next annual fundraising get-together. Based on how successful and how much fun it was last year, we will again have an auction, as well as door prizes, a raffle, etc. Not only will you have a chance to support exciting programs, you will have a chance to win or buy major bargains like a Hawaiian vacation, tickets to a Giants game, a formal Indian dinner etc., etc. Plan to be there!
This year we visited Paripurnata in February of this year. My husband, Peter, as well as Board member Sharon Hofstedt and her husband, Tom came along. I am pleased to report that Paripurnata is on solid ground. After many years of tantalizing near-misses, it appears that a plot of land for expansion is assured from the state government. Once this is reality, state funding assistance can also be expected. This is the most encouraging news I can report!
A new administrator is also in Place. Dr. Siromoni is trying to cut back her time, and is working closely with Dr. Mukherjee till he is well settled in his responsibilities. Paripurnata's primary financial needs will center on raising funds for a new building in the near future. We agreed with Siromoni and Mukherjee that from here forward Shadhika will support a part of the building effort and will entertain funding specific proposals, rather than provide unrestricted general funding.
The Board feels that it is time to make a major effort to broaden Shadhika's group of friends and funding base, as well as to "diversify" its program. To date we have been supporting a single small institution in Calcutta. Of course, there is an endless list of organizations worthy of support and we cannot take on many. But we have identified some and have a personal relationship and familiarity with them, and feel that some of their programs match Shadhika's mission closely. One of these organizations is the Punjab Hospital, a very small, rural facility near Varanasi, which is the sole medical resource for a vast population in its vicinity. They have a maternity program and we are discussing with them the launching of a child care education program focusing on hygiene and nutrition directed toward illiterate mothers. Another is the HOPE School for Handicapped children where we are interested in supporting their training program for handicapped girls who are in a position to learn a skill and become self-supporting. The handicapped are traditionally shunned everywhere in India and are completely disenfranchised. Shadhika would establish a scholarship fund for girls without the means to enroll in the school.
We are in the process of developing a web site and expect that it will be complete by the time we meet on Oct. 10. We hope it will help us reach a cadre of new supporters. May we ask you to also help us by suggesting that we contact some of your friends you think would be interested in Shadhika's mission.
We will send a formal invitation to you in September, along with auction forms and raffle tickets. Until then, best regards,
Juthica Stangl